Club to launch ‘Great Futures’ campaign

Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri is joining Clubs around the country to remind communities that “when schools are out, Clubs are in” through the launch of its Great Futures annual campaign.

According to national statistics, one in three children have no place to go after the 3 p.m. school bell rings and three in five children lack access to summer learning programs.

“The Club is such a great place for the youth to go, not only after-school, but during the summer months as well,” said Fund-raising Coordinator Meghan Beard. “You often see children who spend their afternoons or summer days in front of the television with no real structure…the Club can offer that structure, in a safe and positive environment.”

To highlight what Clubs can offer local communities, every Club in the United States will come together on July 31 to celebrate and bring awareness to the great things that are available to children with after-school and summer learning options.

Thanks to national partnerships with Google, ESPN and Disney, among others, an internet disruption will occur at 3 p.m., July 31. For those surfing the web, a bell will ring and a promotion for Boys & Girls Clubs of America will be seen on specific websites. In addition, celebrity Club alums such as Denzel Washington, Nick Cannon and Jennifer Lopez will be tweeting and speaking about their support.

Locally, the day will culminate with a special presentation at 3 p.m. at Heber Hunt Elementary.

“The campaign launch on July 31 is going to be a really fun and interactive event,” Beard said. “The members are excited to show the community what they have been working on during the summer program. It’ll be a great way to showcase our Club and its members, as well as create new community partnerships.”

Through the Great Futures campaign, the Club aims to reach more children in need and grow participation in life-changing, outcome-driven, out-of-school time programs to transform the future of kids. Here in Sedalia we’re asking our community to join us in this movement.

“The Great Futures campaign will allow our Club to continue the high level of programming that we offer,” Beard said. “I think it is important to push our brand and what we do for the youth in our community, to keep the community involved and aware of how much of a positive impact we have on the local youth.”

For more information about the Great Futures campaign, contact Meghan Beard at 826-8331. Those interested in donating to the Great Futures campaign should be sure to designate Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri as the recipient.